132 THE CRESTED ANOLIS. 



a full-grown male sometimes exceeds seven or eight. 

 In colour both sexes are similar, the general hue 

 being a rich reddish brown marbled with dark 

 chocolate, the depth of tint varying in different 

 specimens. This colour, however, it has the power 

 of changing to a dull ashy grey when alarmed, the 

 transformation being more rapidly accomplished 

 than in the chameleon. The anolis is almost 

 exclusively arboreal in its habits, leaping from 

 branch to branch with the greatest agility, and 

 rarely descending to the ground. In order to enable 

 it to adhere to the underside of leaves, and to seek 

 its prey in situations that could not otherwise 

 be reached, the feet are provided with a beautiful 

 and peculiar apparatus, that enables the creature to 

 climb any perpendicular object, and even to ascend 

 an upright pane of glass. To serve this purpose, 

 the second joint of each toe is enlarged into a firm 

 fleshy disk, covered beneath with numerous small 

 transverse lines ; this acts as a powerful sucker ; 

 and is also found, slightly varied in form, in the 

 gecko. A semicircular pouch, or frill, of a bright 

 red colour, marbled with yellow, can be extended 

 from under the throat, by means of a powerful 

 muscle round its edge ; and seems to be partially a 

 sexual distinction, as it is only found in a rudimen- 

 tary form among the females. When not expanded 

 its position is marked by a dark-coloured fold of skin, 



